Alternative Futures for Global Food and Agriculture

Despite the numerous challenges facing the food and agriculture systems, this OECD report notes that beyond this daunting list of challenges lie crucial opportunities which should not be overlooked.

‘‘Alternative Futures for Global Food and Agriculture‘‘ perceives that developing an all-inclusive global food system that will shape developments towards 2050 is a challenge. The report was published by Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).

The report released in February 2016, notes that the challenges of developing a global food system that will not only feed but also nourish a growing, more affluent and increasingly demanding population. At the same time preserving sensitive ecosystems; increasing agricultural productivity growth while both adapting to and mitigating climate change and other threats; competing for access to increasingly limited land, water and other natural resources; and contributing to rural area well-being, is one that cannot be ignored.

This OECD study aims to provide essential insights into the possible futures, challenges and opportunities facing the food and agriculture systems, and to challenge assumptions regarding the development of, and linkages between, the different drivers and outcomes towards the middle of this century.

This report develops three contrasting scenarios to illustrate alternative futures, based on several global economic models and extensive discussions with relevant stakeholders, and outlines policy considerations to help ensure that future needs are met in an economically, environmentally and socially sustainable manner. The scenarios highlight the fundamental uncertainties surrounding forward-oriented decision making, and point to the crucial importance of international co-operation across multiple policy areas.